Kentucky Derby overnight ratings up 16 percent

Orb running through the slop to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday drew viewers to the TV.

NBC Sports said Sunday that the final hour of its broadcast (6-7 p.m.) earned a 10.4 overnight rating and a 23 share. That was a 16 percent increase over last year's race, according to overnight data provided to NBC by The Nielsen Company. The 10.4 overnight rating ties the 2010 race as the best for a Kentucky Derby in 21 years (10.9/29 in 1992).

— The prerace coverage on NBC Sports (5-6 p.m.) drew a 6.2/15 overnight rating, up 15 percent from last year and tying 2010 as the best for the prerace since 2007.— Coverage from 4-4:30 p.m. received a 3.1/8, the best since NBC began 4 p.m. coverage in 2008.— Coverage from 4:30-5 p.m. received a 4.1/10, also the best since NBC began coverage at 4:30 p.m. (in 2007).

National ratings and viewership for the race portion will be available on Tuesday. National ratings for the early coverage will be available on Thursday.